And all this attention could translate to a boost for the Michigan economy.

“Every time we get these national accolades, it helps put us on the radar,” said Michelle Grinnell, spokeswoman for Travel Michigan, the tourism arm of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. “Those not only help tell our story, but it reinforces the message that we are sending that Michigan is a great travel destination.”

Tourism has been rising steadily. In 2010, out-of-state visitor spending in Michigan after the launch of a national Pure Michigan campaign rose 21 percent.

Last year, there were more than 3.8 million out-of-state visitors to the state, who spent a record high of $1.1 billion at Michigan businesses, according to a report commissioned by Travel Michigan to measure the success of the Pure Michigan campaign.

In Grand Rapids, the uptick in visitors that can be seen with the substantial rise of room revenue and hotel occupancy rates over the past four years.

Four years ago, Kent County hotels had below a 49 percent occupancy rate. For the past three months, the rate is hovering over 65 percent, putting it above the national average of 63 percent for the first time.

In financial terms, that translates to a 34 percent jump in revenues, which have grown to $130 million a year, from four years ago.

“I think we are emerging as a destination,” said Doug Small, who heads Experience Grand Rapids, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. “While we were a regional destination we are now a national destination.”

He is already capitalizing on The Lonely Planet designation. It’s part of the welcome letter Small penned for the 100,000 visitor guides distributed to Grand Rapids area hotels.

Although Lonely Planet is targeted at leisure travelers, Small believes the endorsement will intrigue convention planners as well.

“This is arguably the most respected online travel media you will find worldwide,” said Small. “Millions of people visit this site on a daily basis. Even if we get a small, small portion of them to look further ...”

What makes Lonely Planet different from other lists featuring Michigan is that its rankings were not part of a contest won with online votes.

In fact, Small’s office didn’t get a call until after Lonely Planet's staff compiled the list. The travel publisher called a few weeks ahead of the announcement made in December to request photos and information for its story.

How much is all this free publicity worth?

Neither Small nor Grinnell could put a dollar figure on it.

“There are a lot of lists out there, and some are more important than others,” Small said. “This isn’t just any travel media coming along. This is right up there with the best of the best.”

Guessing the impact of what a list can have on attendance can be difficult, says David Hooker, CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

“It was really nice notoriety,” said Hooker, adding that while he doesn't know how many people the list inspired to visit Meijer Gardens, attendance has continued to climb in recent years.

He believes the attention had a ripple effect on other area destinations.

“If a traveler’s first attraction was Meijer Gardens, they are going to learn that we have this fabulous art museum and we’ve got a great zoo, we’ve got a local theater that is just outstanding, great hotels, and we’ve got some good cold beer to go with it,” Hooker said.

Last year, Lonely Planet named Louisville the top U.S. destination in 2013.

A year later, hotel occupancy is up nearly 3 percent, hotel revenues have risen 9 percent and convention room nights jumped by about 25 percent.

While that may not be all attributable to Lonely Planet, making the list has generated buzz for the Kentucky city, said Stacey Shepherd Yates, vice president marketing and communications for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Although conventions are booked years in advance, the increase in convention nights might suggestion the destination is drawing a higher attendance, Yates said.

“Writers have been calling us to come and cover what they now see as an ‘up and coming’ city,” said Yates by email.

Lonely Planet highlighted Louisville’s bourbon and culinary scene, which has been part of the city’s marketing campaign in recent years.

The acclaimed international travel website and publisher of travel guides spotlighted Grand Rapids’ craft beer and art scene — highlighted by ArtPrize — and more than 300 miles of shoreline, from South Haven to Traverse City and Petoskey, and beyond.

While locals may quibble over the “Gold Coast” descriptor since the lakefront is often marketed as Michigan’s West Coast or or Michigan’s Beach Towns, they couldn’t be more pleased with the attention.

“I think my peers along the West Coast of Michigan share in this,” said Small. “This is about the Hollands and the Grand Havens, which is a big part of our region and a big part of our sell.”

Travel Michigan also insists marketing of Grand Rapids include images of beaches that are only a short drive from the city.

Small says that when meeting planners come to Grand Rapids to consider booking a convention, trade show or meeting, they are taken out to the lakeshore.

“It’s a huge part of the allure and the image and prestige of the area, and we’re not going to let people forget it.”

Holland is ready to lure visitors who fly into Grand Rapids, with billboards that bookend the baggage claim at Gerald R. Ford International Airport that read: “Holland: 25 minutes and a world away,” with the city’s historic Dutch windmill in the background, said Sally Laukitis, president of the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The beach towns each have their own flavor.

“They aren’t cookie cutter experiences,” said Laukitis. “You have a totally different experience in Holland, Saugatuck and Grand Haven.”

She thinks that will appeal to Lonely Planet readers, who tend to be between the ages of 18 and 35, and like to explore out-of-the-way places.

“I really think this will play out very well for us along the lakeshore,” Laukitis said.